Hot Springs in Garland County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)

Fordyce Bathhouse

Hot Springs National Park

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Fordyce Bathhouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Matthew G French, July 22, 2024

1. Fordyce Bathhouse Marker

Inscription. Inspired by the spas of Europe, Colonel Samuel Fordyce opened this Renaissance Revival bathhouse in 1915. With its copper-framed glass marquee and elegant window design, the Fordyce reflects a crowning achievement of the Golden Age of Bathing. Its interior features are also ornate. A stained glass ceiling in the men’s bath hall creates and underwater atmosphere. Terra cotta fountains and other stained glass panels provided artful and luxurious surroundings.

Captions:
The Fordyce Bathhouse occupied an ideal location next to the Formal Entrance to the park; its roof garden was within sound and sight of the bandstand on the hillside above.

Stained glass ceiling, Fordyce Bathhouse

Baby dolphins, Fordyce Bathhouse

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1915.

Location. 34° 30.822′ N, 93° 3.222′ W. Marker is in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in Garland County. It is on Central Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 369 Central Avenue, Hot Springs National Park AR 71901, United States of

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America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Arkansas’ Ouachita Mountains.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: “Rebirth of the American Spa” (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs, Incorporated (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs Railroad Improvements (within shouting distance of this marker); Maurice Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs' Major Fires (within shouting distance of this marker); Quapaw Bathhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Hot Springs Utility Improvements (within shouting distance of this marker); Kenneth Adair Memorial Park (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 5, 2022

2. Fordyce Bathhouse Marker

Hot Springs.